Lloyd_Christmas

 

Posts: 17

Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:18 am

Climate Zone: 9b / Sunset zone 14

I have a green gage plum tree for 4 years now. It is about 8 or 9 feet tall in the ground. I have no other plum trees, nor do the neighbors. It was my understanding that green gages were mostly self fertile. Well, last year I got all of a whopping two plums, and that was the first time I got anything. This year, I got nothing again.
I am getting bummed out by this tree. I wanted a green gage because of what I had read about them--the taste,the look, etc. But it just doesn't seem to produce. Do you guys think I should fish or cut bait on this?
I am in the city of Sonoma.

Axel

Site Admin

 

Posts: 2377

Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:49 pm

Location: Santa Cruz Mountains

Climate Zone: sunset 15/USDA 9b

Green gauges are self fertile? Really? Who told you that? It's not true. There is a Japanese version of a green gauge that is self fertile, but that's not a true green gauge but a Japanese plum. The old green gauge is not self fertile.

However, if you got two fruit last year, obviously there is a pollinator somewhere within range of bees (1-2 miles). Don't give up on your green gauge. There are lots of other reasons why it might not yet be bearing. One reason for certain is that last Spring was really wet for much longer than usual, and that could be the reason you're not seeing any fruit. Also, most European plums take longer to fruit for the first time. So be patient, it will eventually give you a gargantuous harvest.

Ed of Somis

Cloudforest Expert

 

Posts: 347

Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:46 am

Location: Ventura Co.

Climate Zone: Sunset zone 21

L...it looks like you may live in a definate "low chill" area. Is that right? When I lived in the San Fernando Valley (approx 400 hrs) I had a Green Gage. I dumped it after several years of poor performance. My Santa Rosa and Satsuma did great there. I feel your pain. It can be a tough call sometimes.

Lloyd_Christmas

 

Posts: 17

Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:18 am

Climate Zone: 9b / Sunset zone 14

Well, Axel, unfortunately there are a great many nurseries online, and other folks online, who are writing and advertising that green gage plum trees are self-fertile (or some say "semi self-fertile).
Here is one such nursery which says they are "self-fertile."
http://www.willisorchards.com/product/G ... +Plum+Tree
Here is another which follows the "semi-fertile" line of thought:
http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/frui ... e_vars/Any Google search will yield scores of such claims.
Which is how I got duped into buying this thing. I absolutely love the fruit, but not if I can't get any. And my yard isn't big enough for another plum tree, darn it.
I won't give up on it just yet, but I wouldn't have bought it if it really wasn't self-fertile.
Somebody ought to tell somebody what the real score regarding the fruiting capabilities of this tree, then.